He was followed just four minutes later by winger John Williams who scored off a Payne grubber kick and converted his own try to extend their lead 10 – nil.

Then in the 19th minute Ty Williams made it a match double after running onto a swift cut-out pass from Anthony Watts for another four-pointer, barging over with two defenders on his back and boosting them up to 14 points.

Before the end of the first half, however, Canterbury managed to score one try through Jamal Idris in the 31st minute and Bryson Goodwin converted to narrow the deficit 14 – 6.

Back in the second half North Queensland were first to score again after a tense third quarter, when Grant Rovelli got over in the 60th minute, the kick giving them a total of 20 points for the night.

It proved not to be enough, however, as the Bulldogs fought hard in the final 11 minutes to post three tries and secure a close victory.

First hooker Michael Ennis scored in the 69th minute after sneaking over from dummy-half, followed four minutes later by Steve Turner. Goodwin kicked one from two and the score was now 20 – 16 with just seven minutes left on the clock.

Then in the 75th minute Josh Morris made it a 20 all deadlock, the pressure on Goodwin to convert, which he did to give the visitors victory.

In more bad news for the Cowboys Willie Tonga left the game in the second half after tearing a muscle in his groin.

Both the Cowboys and the Bulldogs have big games this weekend, but don’t bet against them! Not at the TAB anyway. For the best NRL prices check out Ladbrokes.com.au today.